Windows 10 & Windows 8

Windows Quick Tip: How To Check if Your PC Supports Bluetooth 4.0

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances between computers and mobile devices. It was originally invented by Ericsson in 1994 as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables, but now it’s widely used to connect computer peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and headsets.

Bluetooth 4.0, aka Bluetooth Smart, has been around since June 30, 2010. It includes Classic Bluetooth, Bluetooth high speed, and Bluetooth low energy protocols. The low energy protocol significantly improved the battery life of the devices, several times longer than their classic Bluetooth counterparts. So it’s great to know if your computer supports this version of Bluetooth for your devices.

But Windows doesn’t make very clear as if your PC supports Bluetooth 4.0. You will need to dig it up a bit to find out. Open Device Manager by opening Start menu and typing “device manager” to find and launch it, expand the Bluetooth node and look for any drivers that contain words “LE Enumerator,” short for Low Energy.

If you do see one listed in the Device Manager without any error or warning signs, you have a computer equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 protocol that is compatible with your shiny Bluetooth 4.0 device.